Thursday, December 10, 2015

North Korea's Submarine Missile Launch Test Caused Significant Damage

North Korea’s first submarine capable of firing missiles underwater suffered serious damage during a failed test launch last month, according to defense officials.

The Sinpo-class submarine attempted to launch North Korea’s KN-11 submarine-launched ballistic missile during a test Nov. 28 in the Sea of Japan, but officials said the missile failed to properly eject from its firing tube, causing damage to the submarine and its sail.

Details of the damage were not disclosed by officials familiar with intelligence reports of the test.

The assessment of damage to the submarine was based on debris analyzed by U.S. satellites and other technical intelligence means.

The failed test is considered a significant setback for the missile submarine program, the officials said.